Naps are usually seen as one of two things: a glorious yet supremely rare luxury or a pastime fitting only of those under the age of three.
But when 40 percent of people get less than seven hours of sleep a night, napping becomes something else entirely: a crucial opportunity to pick up some extra Zzs.
In fact, there are a number of reported health benefits of taking a nap, including improvements to the snoozer's alertness, memory, creativity and even productivity. And perhaps the best news of all is it doesn't have to take long. Sleep experts recommend cutting yourself off after just 30 minutes -- but even just 10 minutes might help, at least in the alertness department.
Just like when you doze off in your bedroom, preparing for a nap calls for some of the same old sleep hygiene tips: Look for a napping spot that's quiet, cool and dark. Keep in mind that anyone with trouble falling or staying asleep at night should probably skip a daytime snooze.
So how do you know when you should nap and when you should save your snoring for later? Just consult this handy chart!
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